Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships

These scholarships support high achieving tertiary students of Māori descent.

Each year a group of exceptional Māori students is selected to continue the legacy of Victoria Cross winner Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu and the other members of the 28th (Māori) Battalion. To be eligible for these scholarships you must:

be of Māori descent and

enrolled in tertiary study and

be able to describe the Ngā Ahuatanga characteristics you possess that are similar to those identified as consistent with the 28th (Māori) Battalion soldiers.

Applications for 2018/2019 closed on 7 September 2018.

Decisions have been made on applications for 2018/2019 and we endeavour to let the applicants know outcomes before Christmas.

Applications for 2019/2020 are open Monday 17 June through to Monday 9 September 2019.

You will find more information about the Ngārimu Scholarships further down the page, but in the meantime, you can contact the Ngārimu team by email at Ngarimu.Scholarship@education.govt.nz

Ngārimu competition for schools — 2019/2020

The Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board will be running a new look Ngārimu competition for schools in 2019.

The competition was previously known as the Ngārimu Essay or Challenge Competition.

Recognising the many new opportunities for creative expression, the 2019 challenge will not be limited to written essays entries.

Students may alternatively prepare a short video (for example a documentary or short film), an artistic piece or other product that communicates and personifies the leadership qualities and sacrifices of the 28th Māori Battalion.

While anyone can enter, the competition will be aimed at Māori students ranging from years 7 - 13.

In anticipation, teachers, schools and kura may want to include learning opportunities about the 28th Māori Battalion in their curriculum planning for Term 2, 2019.

Information and materials to assist with this can be found at the 28th Māori battalion website.

Ngārimu scholarship

How many scholarships are available?

There are 6 scholarships on offer this year. The board of trustees has the right to award more if they so decide.

Three Undergraduate awards

One Masters award

One Masters Education Research award

One Doctoral Scholarship

What does each scholarship provide?

Each Undergraduate award provides up to $10,000 per year of full-time study, for up to 5 years.

The Masters award provides up to $15,000 per year of full-time study, for up to 2 years.

The Masters education research award provides up to $15,000 per year of full-time study, for up to 2 years and offers the opportunity of a paid internship with the Ministry of Education for up to 6 weeks of each year of study.

The Doctoral scholarship offers up to $25,000 per year of full-time study, for up to 2 years.

Each scholarship’s duration depends on the length of study that you are undertaking and is determined by the panel members and board of trustees at the time of assessment.

What to include in your application

All applications must include:

Confirmation of your enrolment at a tertiary institution – completing the study details section is sufficient

A verified tertiary academic transcript or for undergraduate school leavers, your NZQA record of learning for NCEA L2 (and L3 if applicable) or equivalent Cambridge International Examinations or International Baccalaureate if you are yet to start tertiary studies

A section completed by Kaumātua, Māori leader that certifies you whakapapa

A section completed by someone who can endorse your academic achievement and suitability to study.

a Te Reo Māori capability statement that is provided in the application form

To give the panel greater understanding of your Masters or Doctoral thesis topics please provide details on how the topic is innovative, different to the social norm, and the impact it has on the Māori community or Māori issues.

Past winners

Background to the scholarships

During World War II, Māori men and women made a significant contribution in all areas of the defence forces and home services. The recruits who formed the 28th (Māori) Battalion fought with distinction in many engagements. Subsequently, Second Lieutenant Te Moana- nui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu was acknowledged by

the British Commonwealth for his heroism and ultimate sacrifice and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Tomorrow marks the 75th anniversary of the death of Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu VC.

In June 1943, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā- Apanui and Pākehā from the East Coast met to consider how to commemorate the bravery of Ngārimu, and the other members of the 28th Battalion, whose lives had been lost in World War II. It was decided to establish a scholarship fund to support Māori education.

The Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Scholarship Fund Board was established for the purposes of administering funds that promoted Māori education. The scholarships support Māori excellence at tertiary level with academic merit being a high priority in the selection.

Scholarships have been awarded to over 200 recipients.

Māori Battalion! March to victory!Māori Battalion! Staunch and true!Māori Battalion! March to gloryTake the honour of the people with you ...